U.S. patent number 6,851,656 [Application Number 10/613,614] was granted by the patent office on 2005-02-08 for laptop computer paper support device.
Invention is credited to Mark A. Bauman, Maxwell N. Bauman.
United States Patent |
6,851,656 |
Bauman , et al. |
February 8, 2005 |
Laptop computer paper support device
Abstract
A laptop computer paper support device for removably setting on
the top of a laptop computer case and for holding at least one
document above a screen on a laptop computer. The laptop computer
paper support device comprises a support member and shelf member.
The support member includes a front surface, a top edge, a bottom
edge, a left edge, a right edge and a connection axis passing
through the left edge and the right edge. The connection axis is
substantially perpendicular to the left edge. The shelf member is
pivotally attached at the connection axis to the front surface of
the support member. The shelf member includes a top surface and a
bottom surface. The shelf member also includes a shelf ledge
adapted for maintaining a document upon the top surface of the
shelf member. The shelf ledge is attached to the top surface and
extends upwardly from the top surface at a non-zero angle. The
shelf member further includes a shelf flange adapted for setting on
the top of a laptop computer case. The shelf flange is attached to
the bottom surface and extends downwardly from the bottom surface
at a non-zero angle. The shelf member is moveable between an open
position where the shelf is substantially perpendicular to the
support member and a closed position where the shelf member is
substantially parallel to the support member.
Inventors: |
Bauman; Mark A. (Bronx, NY),
Bauman; Maxwell N. (Bronx, NY) |
Family
ID: |
33552732 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/613,614 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/442.2;
248/453; 248/918 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/1601 (20130101); G06F 1/1613 (20130101); G06F
1/1611 (20130101); Y10S 248/918 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
1/16 (20060101); B41J 011/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/442.2,448,449,451,453,460,918 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ramirez; Ramon O
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A laptop computer paper support device for removably setting on
the top of a laptop computer case and for holding at least one
document above a screen on the laptop computer, said laptop
computer paper support device comprising: a support member
including a front surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge,
a right edge and a connection axis passing through said left edge
and said right edge, wherein said connection axis is substantially
perpendicular to said left edge; and a shelf member pivotally
attached at said connection axis to the front surface of said
support member, said shelf member including: a top surface and a
bottom surface; a shelf ledge adapted for maintaining a document
upon the top surface of the shelf member, said shelf ledge attached
to the top surface and extending upwardly from the top surface at a
non-zero angle; and a shelf flange adapted for setting on the top
of a laptop computer case, said shelf flange attached to the bottom
surface and extending downwardly from the bottom surface at a
non-zero angle; wherein the shelf member is movable between an open
position wherein the shelf member is substantially perpendicular to
the support member and a closed position wherein the shelf member
is substantially parallel to the support member.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a first pivot point on the left edge and a second pivot
point on the right edge, wherein the first pivot point and the
second pivot point lie on the connection axis.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein: said support member further
includes: a first pivot arch on the left edge, said first pivot
arch rounded and extending towards the back surface around the
connection axis; and a second pivot arch on the right edge, said
second pivot arch rounded and extending towards the back surface
around the connection axis; and said shelf member further includes:
a first shelf leg on the left side and including a first pivot pin
adapted for connection to said first pivot point; a second shelf
leg on the right side and including a pivot pin adapted for
connection to said second pivot point; a first pivot surface on the
left side adapted to fit into said first pivot arch for moving said
shelf member between said open position and said closed position;
and a second pivot surface on the right side adapted to fit into
second pivot arch for moving said shelf member between said open
position and said closed position.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein: said first pivot arch and said
second pivot arch include: a closed position aperture; an open
position aperture; and a pivot groove between said closed position
aperture and said open position aperture; said first pivot surface
and second pivot surface include a locking pin adapted to fit into
said closed position apertures and said open position apertures;
wherein said locking pins are fitted into said open position
apertures for holding said device in said open position and said
locking pins are fined into said closed position apertures for
holding said device in said closed position.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a shelf support member on the front surface above the
connection axis and said shelf member pushes upwardly against said
shelf support member when said device is in said open position.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein: said support member further
includes a shelf leg aperture; and said shelf flange includes a
shelf leg substantially parallel to said bottom surface of said
shelf member; wherein said shelf leg extends through said shelf leg
aperture when said device is in said closed position.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member is
substantially planar.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the distance from the bottom edge
of said support member to said connection axis is less than the
distance from the top edge of said support member to said
connection axis.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said shelf member is substantially
planar.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said shelf member has a width
substantially the same as said support member.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member is
substantially rectangular in shape and said left edge is at least
twice as long as said top edge.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein said shelf member: is
substantially rectangular in shape; further includes a left side
and a top side; and the length of said left side is less than the
length of said top side.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein: said shelf member includes a
bottom side; said shelf ledge and said shelf flange are attached;
and said shelf ledge and said shelf flange are pivotally connected
to the bottom side of said shelf member via a shelf pivot pin.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a ruler.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein said device further includes a
light for illuminating said document.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a retractable extension from said top edge for
accommodating tall documents.
17. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a document clip member for holding the document in
place.
18. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes one or more ring apertures proximate to said left edge or
to said right edge.
19. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes three ring apertures proximate to said left edge or to
said right edge, said three ring apertures sized and spaced to
accommodate notebook rings from a three ring notebook.
20. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes seven ring apertures proximate to said left edge or to
said right edge, said seven ring apertures sized and spaced to
accommodate notebook rings from a seven ring notebook.
21. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a hanging aperture proximate to said to edge for hanging
said device.
22. The device of claim 1 wherein said device is made of a plastic
material.
23. The device of claim 22 wherein said plastic material is
polycarbonate.
24. The device of claim 22 wherein said plastic material is
ABS.
25. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a calculator.
26. The device of claim 1 wherein said support member further
includes a cut-out for a gage or measuring device.
27. In combination, a laptop computer and a laptop computer paper
support device, said laptop computer comprising: a laptop computer
case including a top of the laptop computer case; and said laptop
computer paper support device comprising: a support member
including a front surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge,
a right edge and a connection axis passing through said left edge
and said right edge, wherein said connection axis is substantially
perpendicular to said left edge; and a shelf member pivotally
attached at said connection axis to the front surface of said
support member, said shelf member including: a top surface and a
bottom surface; a shelf ledge adapted for maintaining a document
upon the top surface of the shelf member, said shelf ledge attached
to the top surface and extending upwardly from the top surface at a
non-zero angle; and a shelf flange adapted for setting on the top
of the laptop computer case, said shelf flange attached to the
bottom surface and extending downwardly from the bottom surface at
a non-zero angle; wherein the shelf member is movable between an
open position wherein the shelf member is substantially
perpendicular to the support member and a closed position wherein
the shelf member is substantially parallel to the support
member.
28. A method for utilizing a laptop computer paper support device
for removably setting on the top of a laptop computer case and for
holding at least one document above a screen on the laptop
computer; said method comprising: receiving the laptop computer
paper support device in a closed position, wherein said device
comprises: laptop computer paper support device comprising: a
support member including a front surface, a top edge, a bottom
edge, a left edge, a right edge and a connection axis passing
through said left edge and said right edge, wherein said connection
axis is substantially perpendicular to said left edge; and a shelf
member pivotally attached at said connection axis to the front
surface of said support member, said shelf member including: a top
surface and a bottom surface; a shelf ledge adapted for maintaining
a document upon the top surface of the shelf member, said shelf
ledge attached to the top surface and extending upwardly from the
top surface at a non-zero angle; and a shelf flange adapted for
setting on the top of a laptop computer case, said shelf flange
attached to the bottom surface and extending downwardly from the
bottom surface at a non-zero angle; wherein the shelf member is
movable between an open position wherein the shelf member is
substantially perpendicular to the support member and the closed
position wherein the shelf member is substantially parallel to the
support member; moving said device into said open position; and
setting said device on the top of the laptop computer case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a laptop computer paper support
device and, more particularly, this invention relates to a laptop
computer support device that sets on the top of a laptop computer
case for holding at least one document above a laptop computer
screen.
Since the advent of the personal computer, manufacturers and
industrial users have continually developed faster, smaller and
more versatile machines, including laptop computers that may be
dedicated to performing a specific function such as word
processing, or may be all-purpose computing machines capable of
executing a variety of types of software programs. These laptop
computers may interact with a variety of portable and stationary
input/output devices such as a printer, a light pen, and a mouse.
In addition, laptop computers are frequently connected to a network
such as the Internet or an intranet. Moreover, these computers
usually provide an electric cord for receiving power from a
standard electrical outlet, as well as a battery pack for powering
the unit when an electrical outlet is unavailable or is
inconvenient. The portability and versatility of laptop computers,
in combination with the ever-decreasing size and weight of these
machines, has attracted a significant number of users, with the
number of users expected to continue to dramatically increase in
the near term.
One benefit of laptop computers that has attracted a significant
number of users is that they may be used in any manufacturing,
professional or personal setting where little, if any, desk space
is available, or where the computer must be supported on the use's
legs, for example in an automobile or airplane. Thus, the laptop
computer permits the user to be productive during previously
unproductive travel time.
However, one problem associated with laptop computers, and the
environment in which they are generally operated, is the inability
to support documents adjacent to the computer screen, either for
informational reference while working on the computer, for example
reference materials required when developing spreadsheets; or
simply for viewing while the document is keyed into the computer.
This problem is especially pronounced when the portable computer is
used on an airplane or in an automobile where there are no flat
surfaces available, and where space is extremely limited.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention is a laptop computer paper support
device for removably setting on the top of a laptop computer case
for holding at least one document above a screen on a laptop
computer. The laptop computer paper support device comprises a
support member and shelf member. The support member includes a
front surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, a right edge
and a connection axis passing through the left edge and the right
edge. The connection axis is substantially perpendicular to the
left edge. The shelf member is pivotally attached at the connection
axis to the front surface of the support member. The shelf member
includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The shelf member also
includes a shelf ledge adapted for maintaining a document upon the
top surface of the shelf member. The shelf ledge is attached to the
top surface and extends upwardly from the top surface at a non-zero
angle. The shelf member further includes a shelf flange adapted for
setting on the top of a laptop computer case. The shelf flange is
attached to the bottom surface and extends downwardly from the
bottom surface at a non-zero angle. The shelf member is moveable
between an open position where the shelf is substantially
perpendicular to the support member and a closed position where the
shelf member is substantially parallel to the support member.
Another aspect of the invention is the combination of a laptop
computer and a laptop computer paper support device. The laptop
computer comprises a laptop computer case including a top of the
laptop computer case. The laptop computer paper support device
comprises a support member and shelf member. The support member
includes a front surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, a
right edge and a connection axis passing through the left edge and
the right edge. The connection axis is substantially perpendicular
to the left edge. The shelf member is pivotally attached at the
connection axis to the front surface of the support member. The
shelf member includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The shelf
member also includes a shelf ledge adapted for maintaining a
document upon the top surface of the shelf member. The shelf ledge
is attached to the top surface and extends upwardly from the top
surface at a non-zero angle. The shelf member further includes a
shelf flange adapted for setting on the top of a laptop computer
case. The shelf flange is attached to the bottom surface and
extends downwardly from the bottom surface at a non-zero angle. The
shelf member is moveable between an open position where the shelf
is substantially perpendicular to the support member and a closed
position where the shelf member is substantially parallel to the
support member.
A further aspect of the invention is a method of utilizing a laptop
computer paper support device for removably setting on the top of a
laptop computer case and for holding at least one document above a
screen on the laptop computer. The method comprises receiving the
laptop computer paper support device in a closed position. The
device comprises a support member and shelf member. The support
member includes a front surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a left
edge, a right edge and a connection axis passing through the left
edge and the right edge. The connection axis is substantially
perpendicular to the left edge. The shelf member is pivotally
attached at the connection axis to the front surface of the support
member. The shelf member includes a top surface and a bottom
surface. The shelf member also includes a shelf ledge adapted for
maintaining a document upon the top surface of the shelf member.
The shelf ledge is attached to the top surface and extends upwardly
from the top surface at a non-zero angle. The shelf member further
includes a shelf flange adapted for setting on the top of a laptop
computer case. The shelf flange is attached to the bottom surface
and extends downwardly from the bottom surface at a non-zero angle.
The shelf member is moveable between an open position where the
shelf is substantially perpendicular to the support member and a
closed position where the shelf member is substantially parallel to
the support member. The method further comprises moving said device
into said open position and setting the device on top of the laptop
computer case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a support member utilized in an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the support member in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a shelf member utilized in an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the shelf member in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention in an open position;
FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position;
FIG. 7 is a side plan view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of
the present invention in an open position;
FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the alternate exemplary embodiment
of FIG. 7 in a closed position;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary embodiment
of the present invention including a document clip member; and
FIG. 10 is a front plan view of a support member with additional
optional features that may be included in an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a laptop
computer paper support device for removably setting on the top of a
laptop computer case. The device holds at least one document above
the laptop computer screen for viewing by the user of the laptop
computer. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
device comprises a support member and a shelf member. The shelf
member is pivotally attached about a connection axis to the support
member. The device may be locked into an open position, with the
shelf substantially perpendicular to the support member, or it may
be locked into a closed position, with the shelf substantially
parallel to the support member. A flange on the bottom of the shelf
along with the portion of the support member below the connection
axis form a lower pocket for receiving the open top of a laptop
computer case. A shelf ledge on the top of the shelf along with the
portion of the support member above the connection axis form an
upper pocket to hold documents.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a support
member 100 and a shelf member 200. The support member 100 is
described in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and the shelf member 200
is described in reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The combination of the
support member 100 and the shelf member 200 is described in
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a support member 100 utilized in an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The support member
100 includes a left edge 114 and a right edge 112 that are parallel
to each other and spaced apart from each other. In addition, the
support member 100 includes a top edge 110 and a bottom edge 108
that are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other.
The top edge 110 and the bottom edge 108 are substantially
perpendicular to the left edge 114 and the right edge 112. In the
exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the support member 100 is
rectangular in shape with rounded edges for easy storage in a
notebook, but other shapes are possible. For example the support
member 100 may be trapezoidal or triangular or freeform in shape
and the opposite edges are not required to be parallel to each
other. The support member 100 also includes a front surface 116 and
a back surface 118. The front surface 116 faces the laptop computer
user and the back surface 118 faces the rear side of the laptop
computer. The support member 100 also includes a connection axis
132 that defines the pivot point for a shelf member 200 that
attaches to the support member 100.
FIG. 1 also depicts two shelf support members 120 that may be
utilized to keep the device in an open position when it is being
utilized to hold a document above the computer screen. The top
surface of the shelf member 200 may press against the bottom of the
shelf support members 120 when the device is in an open position.
In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the two shelf
support members 120 prevent the shelf member 200 from being at
substantially less than a ninety-degree angle from the front
surface 116 of the support member 100 above the connection axis 132
when the device is in an open position. Other positions of the
shelf member 200 with respect to the support member 100 are
possible and may be varied based on the placement of the shelf
support members 120. In addition, it is possible to utilize just
one shelf support member 120 and provide the same functionality
described above. The exemplary support member 100 depicted in FIG.
1 also includes two pivot arches 122. The pivot arches 122 are
located on the left and right edge of the support member 100 and
extend towards the back surface of the support member 100 around
the connection axis 132. The pivot arches 122 allow the shelf
member 200 to move between the open and closed positions. The pivot
arches 122 depicted in FIG. 1 are semi-circles, but any circular
shape allowing the shelf member 200 to pivot may be utilized to
allow movement between the open and closed positions.
FIG. 1 also includes a hanging aperture 102 that may be utilized to
hang the device from a store display or from any type of holder or
fastener that may be inserted into the hanging aperture 102. The
hanging aperture 102 may be any size or shape and may be placed in
any location on the device. In an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the hanging aperture 102 is located adjacent the
top edge 110 of the support member 100 and allows the device to be
hung from a store display or from a marketing booth display. The
device also includes several ring apertures 104. They may be
utilized to store the device in a notebook when it is not in use.
Generally, the device would be stored in the closed position and
would lay flat for storage in a notebook. The number and
arrangement of ring apertures may vary based on the type of
notebook. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, there are
three ring apertures 104. In an alternate exemplary embodiment
there may be seven ring apertures 104 to accommodate a seven-ring
notebook. Any arrangement and/or combination of ring apertures 104
are possible and the layout depends on customer requirements.
Alternatively, the device may be stored in a pocket of a laptop
computer case and not attached to a display device or a notebook.
The device may be stored in the closed position in order to take a
minimal amount of space.
FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the support member 100 in FIG. 1.
FIG. 2 depicts the front surface 116 and the back surface 108. The
front surface 116 includes a shelf support member 120 as discussed
previously, as well as a pivot aperture 130 for connecting the
shelf member 206 to the support member 100. The pivot aperture 130
is located on the connection axis 132 of the support member 200 and
is adapted to receive a pivot pin from the shelf member 200 to
attach the shelf member 200 to the support member 100. Also
depicted in FIG. 2, is a pivot arch 122 along with the closed
position aperture 124, the open position aperture 128 and the pivot
groove 126. The closed position aperture 124 is adapted to contain
a locking pin on the shelf member 200 when the device is in a
closed position. This is an optional aperture and aids in keeping
the device in a closed position for storage. In addition, the open
position aperture 124 is adapted to contain the locking pin on the
shelf member 200 when the device is in an open position. The open
position aperture 124 along with the locking pin and the shelf
support member 120 keep the device in an open position while it is
setting on the top of a laptop computer case. In an alternate
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or both of the
locking pin and the shelf support member 120 may be utilized to
keep the device in an open position. The pivot groove 126 receives
the locking pin when the device is being changed from the open
position to the closed position and when the device is being
changed from the closed position to the open position.
The support member 100 may vary in size and dimension. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, such as the one
depicted in FIG. 1, the support member 100 is substantially planar
and rectangular in shape with dimensions of approximately ten
inches by about three inches. The size of the support member 100
may vary based on the dimensions of a notebook that the device is
targeted to be stored in or on the dimensions of a pocket in a
target laptop computer case. In addition, the placement of the
connection axis 132 may vary as long as the device still provides
room to support and hold documents above the connection axis 132
and the support member 100 still provides leverage against the back
of the laptop computer case for holding the device in place when in
the open position. In the exemplary embodiment of the present
invention depicted in FIG. 1, the connection axis 132 is about four
inches from the bottom edge 108 and approximately six inches from
the top edge 110 of the support member 100. The support member 100
may be any shape that allow for a document resting place and a
pocket for setting on the top of a laptop computer case 236 (e.g.,
kidney shaped, heart shaped, free-form shaped).
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a shelf
member 200. The shelf member 200 includes a top side 208, a bottom
side 202, a left side 210 and a right side 226. In addition, the
shelf member 200 includes a top surface 222 and a bottom surface
224. The shelf member depicted in FIG. 3 includes two shelf legs
204. Each shelf leg 204 defines a shelf inlet 216 and contains a
locking pin 206 and a pivot pin 208. The pivot pin 208 is the
connection point of the shelf member 200 to the support member 100.
The locking pin 206 aids in keeping the shelf member 200 in an open
position by snapping into the open position aperture 128 on the
support member 100, or in a locked position by snapping into the
closed position aperture 124 on the support member 100. When moving
between the closed position and the open position, the locking pin
206 moves through the pivot groove 126 on the support member 100.
Also shown in the top plan view of FIG. 3 is a shelf ledge 220, a
shelf aperture 212 and flange hooks 234. The shelf aperture 212 is
optional and may be included to accommodate plastic mold
requirements if the device is molded from plastic or to make the
device more compact when being stored in a closed position.
FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the exemplary shelf member in FIG. 3.
The pivot surface 232 may be a semi-circle shaped extrusion that is
molded to fit the pivot arch 122 on the support member 100. The
pivot surface 232 extends from the lower edge of the shelf leg 204
and includes both the pivot pin 208 and the locking pin 206 located
on the inside edge of the shelf leg 204. The top surface 222 of the
shelf member 200 includes a shelf ledge 220 for maintaining a
document on the top surface of the shelf member 200. The shelf
ledge 220 may hold a single sheet of paper, or it may hold a book
or magazine. The size of the shelf ledge 220 and the dimensions of
the device may be adapted based on the expected type of document or
documents to be held in place by the shelf ledge 220. The shelf
ledge 220 is attached to the top surface 222 of the shelf member
200 and it extends upwardly from the top surface 222 at a non-zero
angle. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the shelf
ledge 220 extends upwardly from the top surface 222 at about ninety
degrees. The bottom surface 224 of the shelf member 200 includes a
shelf flange 214 that is adapted for removably retaining the paper
support device on the top of a laptop computer case such that the
shelf flange 214 is in front of the case while the bottom surface
224 sits atop the case. The shelf flange 214 is attached to the
bottom surface 224 of the shelf member 200 and it extends
downwardly from the bottom surface 224 at a non-zero angle. In
embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the shelf flange 214 is attached to
the shelf member 200 at an angle of about ninety degrees. The shelf
flange 214 depicted in FIG. 4 also includes flange hooks 234. The
flange hooks 234 are optional and may be utilized to provide a more
secure fit for the device on to the top of some types of laptop
computers.
The shelf member 200 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a substantially
planar top surface 222 and a substantially planar bottom surface
224 that contains two shelf legs 204 extending from the top side
218 of the shelf member 200. The pivot surface 232 of each shelf
leg 204 is shaped as a semi-circle for moving through the pivot
groove 126 in the support member 100. In an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, the shelf member 200 is about the same width
as the support member (e.g., about three inches) and the diameter
of the pivot surface 232 is about one-half of an inch. The height
of the shelf member 200 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 is about one
inch, the height of the shelf ledge 220 about one-quarter of an
inch, and the height of the shelf flange 214 about one-quarter of
an inch. These measurements may vary, but the height of the shelf
flange 214 and the shelf ledge 220 will have an impact on the size
of the device when it is in the closed position in the embodiment
of the shelf member 200 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. Similar to the
support member 100, the shape of the shelf member 200 may vary.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention in an open position and setting on the top of a
laptop computer case 236. The device shown in FIG. 5 includes the
shelf member 200 being connected to the support member 100 about
the connection axis 132 by inserting the pivot pins 208 on the
shelf member 200 into the pivot apertures 130 on the support member
100. The device is held in an open position by having the locking
pin 206 on the shelf member 200 being inserted into the open
position aperture 128 on the support member 100. In addition, the
shelf member 200 is pressing up against the shelf support member
120 to keep the shelf member 200 at about a ninety-degree angle
from the portion of the front surface 116 of the support member 100
above the connection axis 132.
The device depicted in FIG. 5 is setting on the top of a laptop
computer case 236. The laptop computer includes a computer screen
242 on the front of the laptop computer case 238. The pocket formed
by the shelf flange 214, the bottom surface 224 of the shelf member
200 and the portion of the support member 100 below the connection
axis 132 hold the device on the top of the laptop computer case
236. The portion of the support member 100 below the connection
axis 132 rests up against and is substantially parallel with the
back of the laptop computer case 240. The flange hooks 234 depicted
in FIG. 5 may be utilized to assist in the holding and may be
useful when the top of the laptop computer case 236 includes an
indentation for accepting the flange hooks 234. With the device in
the open position and setting on the top of the laptop computer
case 236, the laptop computer use may put documents in the upper
pocket defined by the shelf ledge 220, top surface 222 of the shelf
member 200 and the front surface 116 of the support member 100
above the connection axis 132.
FIG. 6 is a side plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention in a closed position. As described previously,
when the device is in a closed position, the locking pin 206 on the
shelf member 200 is inserted into the closed position aperture 124
on the support member 100. In addition, a portion of the shelf
flange 214 is fit into the shelf leg aperture 106 on the support
member 100. In this manner, the storage of the device in the closed
position may take up less space. Also shown in FIG. 6, is one of
the flange hooks 234 on the portion of the shelf flange 214 that
has been inserted through the shelf leg aperture 106 on the support
member 100.
FIG. 7 is a side plan view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of
the present invention in an open position. The support member 100
is similar to the support member 100 described previously. The
shelf member 200 also includes a top surface 222, a bottom surface
224, a shelf ledge 220 and a shelf flange 214. In addition, the
shelf member 200 is pivotally attached to the support member 100 by
a pivot pin 208. One difference between the two embodiments is that
the shelf ledge 220 and the shelf flange 214 are pivotally
connected, via a shelf pivot pin 302, to the shelf member 200. In
the open position, this alternate embodiment provides the same
pocket, formed by the shelf flange 214, the bottom surface 224 of
the shelf member 200 and the portion of the support member 100
below the pivot point to hold the device on the top of the laptop
computer case 236. Similarly, the pocket defined by the shelf ledge
220, the top surface 222 of the shelf member 200 and the front
surface 116 of the support member 100 above the pivot point may be
utilized to hold documents for use by the user of the laptop
computer.
FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the alternate exemplary embodiment
of FIG. 7 in a closed position. This embodiment allows the device
to lay almost completely flat when in the closed position. As
depicted in FIG. 8, the shelf ledge 200 and the shelf flange 214
lie flat against the front surface 116 of the support member 100 or
alternately, against the shelf member 200. The locking mechanisms
discussed previously may be utilized to hold the device in either
the open position or the closed position.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary embodiment
of the present invention including a document clip member. As
depicted in FIG. 9, an exemplary embodiment of the document clip
member includes a hook attachment 902 connected to the back surface
118 of the support member 100. In an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the hook attachment 902 is connected to the
support member 100 via the hanging aperture 102 and the hook
attachment 902 may be removable. The hook attachment 902 includes a
hook channel 904. The interior of the hook channel 904 contains a
plurality of indents 914 at various heights. The document clip
member also includes a hook 906 that is sized to fit into the hook
channel 904. The hook 906 also includes a plurality of nubs 912, at
various heights, adapted to fit into the indents 914 in the hook
channel 904. By moving the hook and connecting the nubs 912 to the
indents 914, the hook 906 may be adjusted to fit a variety of
document heights. As shown in FIG. 9, the hook 906 extends above
the height of the support member 100 and out toward the front
surface 116 of the support member 100. Attached to the end of the
hook 906 is a hook extension 908 that includes two clips 910 for
holding the document in place between the clips 910. In an
alternate embodiment of the present invention, the hook extension
908 may be adjusted relative to the front surface 116 of the
support member 100 to hold a document closer or further from the
front surface 116 of the support member 100.
The document clip member depicted in FIG. 9 may be stored flush
against the back surface 118 of the support member 100 by pulling
the hook 906 out the of the hook channel 904 and inserting it back
into the hook channel 904 in the opposite direction shown in FIG.
9. By inserting the hook 906 upside down and sideways into the hook
channel 904, the laptop computer paper support device may be stored
in more compact manner. In order to do insert the hook 906 into the
hook channel 904 in this manner, the hook channel 904 and the hook
906 must be substantially square in shape. Other manners of
implementing the document clip member are possible without
departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the hook
attachment 902 may be connected to the support member 100 via one
or more of the ring apertures and the hook 906 could extend out
past the right edge 112 or left edge 114 of the support member 100
with the clips 910 holding the side edge of a document.
Alternatively, the hook attachment 902 could be permanently
attached to the support member 100 by using glue or molding it to
the support member 100, or the document clip member could just be a
standard clip attached to the right edge 112, left edge 114 or top
edge 110 of the support member 100.
The laptop computer paper holder support member 100 may be made in
a variety of colors as well as other shapes and configurations
different from the substantially rectangular shape described in the
previous embodiments. Plastic materials and molding techniques
known in the art may be utilized to create the device. For example,
plastics such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
(ABS) may be utilized. The device may be utilized as a marketing
tool by adding a company logo to the device. Alternatively, a
corporation may add frequently called phone numbers or web sites
addresses to the device. For example, a computer company may
include the device with laptop computers and imprint customer
assistance numbers and web sites on the device.
In addition, as depicted in FIG. 10, a variety of features may be
added to the device so that the device may perform additional
functions related to the target customer of the device. For
example, a ruler 1004 may be drawn on one of the edges of the
support member 100, or on one of the sides of the shelf member 200.
Similarly, the support member 100 may include a cut out section
1002 for a gage or measuring device (e.g., a leveling device is
depicted in FIG. 10) for measurements that are commonly made by the
target customer. In addition, the device may include a light 1008
for illuminating the document or for use as a flashlight. The light
1008 may be built in as part of the device (e.g., at the top edge
110 of the support member 100, on top of the shelf ledge 220) or it
may be removably attached to the device. Another feature that may
be added to the support member 100 a retractable extension to
accommodate tall documents. Tracks may be added to the back surface
118 of the support member 100 with a locking mechanism to keep the
extension in an extended or non-extended position. Another feature
that could be incorporated into the device is a compact calculator
1006 on the support member 100. The previous list of additional
features is meant to be descriptive and not limiting as other
additions are possible and depend on target customer
requirements.
As described previously, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention provides a portable, compact and lightweight device for
holding a document above a laptop computer screen 242. In addition,
the laptop computer paper holder sets on the top of the laptop
computer case 236 and is therefore easily attached and detached
from the laptop computer case for use in a variety of environments
including environments where there is substantially no workspace
available for document reference. Likewise, the flat nature of the
laptop computer paper support device allows it to be conveniently
stored and carried by a traveler until it is set on top of the
laptop computer case 236. The ability to imprint company and
product information on the device and to tailor additional features
for the device based on the target customers make the device useful
as a marketing tool.
While the invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for
elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.
In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore, it is
intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out
this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use
of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or
importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to
distinguishing one element from another.
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